Rep. Cook Votes For Bill to Stop Wasteful Government Spending

Rep. Cook Votes For Bill to Stop Wasteful Government Spending

5 years ago

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photo courtesy of www.joinpaulcook.com

By Staff Reports

(Victor Valley)– Rep. Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) today voted for H.R. 367, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. The bill, which passed by 232 to 183, would require federal agencies to get Congressional approval for any regulations that would cost more than $100 million.

The bill aims to provide oversight of the federal rulemaking process which is responsible for writing the detailed language of broad Congressional bills. The REINS Act removes the unchecked power of unelected officials in federal agencies to write rules and requires Congress to approve costly measures.

The Small Business’ Office of Advocacy reported that federal rulemaking imposed a $1.75 trillion burden on the American economy. The former director of the Congressional Budget Office testified that the rulemaking burden on the economy has increased by $520 billion during the Obama administration.

Said Cook, “The rulemaking process puts too much power in the hands of unelected bureaucrats. These bureaucrats are costing the American economy ridiculous amounts of money. This law puts a check in place that makes sure these bureaucrats don’t run roughshod over the American economy. With this bill, we save money and make sure that the power remains in the hands of those that were elected.”

While serving in the California State Assembly, Cook authored similar legislation limiting new regulations. Cook’s AB 1537, the Government Accountability Act of 2012 required legislative approval on all regulations that cost more than $50 million and gave elected officials, not bureaucrats, the final say.

A member of the House Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook is a former educator who served as an infantry officer and retired as a Colonel after 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal with valor device and two Purple Hearts for actions in combat.